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Monday, November 26, 2012

The red path loomed overhead. It was the tallest and the most difficult. But gear attached, I started to climb.

On my recent Thanksgiving cruise vacation, I decided to rock climb. Little did I know, my climb would be met by jeers and cheers from the crowd a deck below.

"Don't mess up!" one shouted. "You won't make it!" yelled another.

Two days earlier, at the dinner table, I read an email that congratulated me on my acceptance as a News21 fellow for summer 2013. I honestly did not expect this email. I was shocked.

For two and a half years, I have sent almost every email, application and care package possible in hopes of landing a high-profile internship. And its here!

My high school journalism teacher once told me "the truth will come out in the wash." Not knowing what the phrase meant, I Googled it. Now I understand what she meant.

Hard work does not go unnoticed. My impending summer journalism opportunity is better than I ever thought possible. And I have alot to be thankful for.

As I approached the halfway point on the rock climbing wall, my hand almost slipped, but I caught ahold of the preceding rock. I took a deep breath and climbed higher. And on my last step, unknowingly, I passed the bell before ringing it with satisfaction.

Sunday, November 11, 2012

As strange as it may sound, I am a shy journalist. I think before I speak, but I can tell a good story.

This week, I spoke in front of a group of middle school students about my Type 1 Diabetes. The school has been among the best in fundraising for T1D. It was my first public speaking opportunity since probably high school. But, as scared as I was, I had a story to tell.

A few weeks earlier, I prayed to God to heal my Type 1 Diabetes. However, I realize that, even without the healing, I can strengthen others through talking about my own experiences.

I asked the students what was there favorite thing about second grade, some answered with "math" or "recess," as I then began to tell my story of my diagnosis in the second grade, waking up on a hospital bed with blood-filled tubes spread out across my body.

This holiday season and into the new year, I will try to get out of my confort zone. That means pubic speaking, going beyond the daily work/school routine and being courageous.

Taking a step into the unknown requires faith, but it may open a world of opportunities.

Sunday, November 4, 2012

One of the toughest aspects of journalism is silent praise. As reporters, we crank out story after story, often without as much as a "good job" or "nice story," but then the opposite occurs, harsh criticism.

A heavily criticized story can be two-fold, either the story is bad or so good that it stirs up readers' emotions, or a little of both. It is like being stuck in no man's land, either a reader hates a story or has literally nothing to say about it.

Maybe its a spelling error, politics or just that one person who comments negatively on every story.

The rest of the year I will focus on rebranding (if you have not noticed already), shooting and editing video and learning Spanish. They are personal goals I need to accomplish to become a better journalist. While a reader comment may lower my mood for a moment, the thrill of molding my craft will never flail.